PRIME MINISTER CHRISTIE EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF REV. DR. MYLES MUNROE, HIS WIFE RUTH AND 7 OTHERS

I am shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Rev. Dr. Myles Munroe, his wife, Ruth, Pastor Richard Pinder, and the other persons who perished with them in a plane crash at Freeport, Grand Bahama late this afternoon. If I hesitate to call all their names it is not out of any disrespect but only because it would be premature to do so at this early juncture when recovery and identification efforts are still underway.

It is utterly impossible to measure the magnitude of Dr. Munroe’s loss to The Bahamas and to the world. He was indisputably one of the most globally recognizable religious figures our nation has ever produced. His fame as an ambassador for the Christian ministry preceded him wherever in the world he travelled, whether in the Caribbean, North America, Asia, Europe or Africa. He was a towering force who earned the respect and admiration not only of Christian adherents but of secular leaders both here at home and around the world.

Dr. Munroe was a man of immense charisma and persuasive appeal. Whether one agreed with him or not, there was never any question that Dr. Munroe was a man of deeply held principles who never hesitated to speak truth to power. He was regarded by a great many persons as the Conscience of The Nation. Certainly, he was among the most defining and influential spiritual leaders of the modern Bahamas and, I daresay, of the wider world of Christian evangelism as well.

Although Dr. Munroe and I disagreed on some matters over the years, I regarded him as both a personal friend and spiritual mentor. I leaned on his counsel in a number of important matters, most recently in the consultations with religious leaders on the pending constitutional bills, a process in which he took an enthusiastic and constructive part, helping even to re-draft one of the bills that had met with a great deal of public controversy.

This is a particularly difficult loss for the BFM church family to have to bear. I hope therefore that all my fellow Bahamians will hold the BFM membership, and the families of those who died, in their thoughts and prayers in the coming days. But in truth we all need to comfort each other because the loss of Dr. Munroe is a loss that we all feel as Bahamians and as a Christian nation. Rev. Dr. Myles Munroe was a great Bahamian of universal renown who leaves our nation and the world a better place because of the power and passion of his preachings and the excellence of his example. He will be greatly missed both here and abroad.

On behalf of the Government and people of The Bahamas, and on my own behalf and that of my family, I extend deepest condolences to all of the families of the persons who perished this afternoon, and to all the members of Bahamas Faith Ministries.

May the souls of all of the departed rest in peace.